Results for Development

The construction of Vava'u's first solar power plant to be built with a US$5 million grant from the Government of Abu Dhabi is on target for completion by October 2013. When the plant comes into operation it will provide 13 percent of the annual energy demands of Vava'u, while saving up to 180,000 litres of diesel fuel annually to reduce the cost of electricity.

Vaipua Bridge which provides a vital short cut to Neiafu for the people living in the western district of Vava'u will be opened on Friday 14 December by Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala.

HM King Tupou VI unveiled a plaque and cut a ribbon to open a new Vuna Wharf, reconstructed with a $32 million pa'anga loan from China, in time to welcome its first cruise ship, the Ocean Princess tomorrow Tuesday 11 December. The new wharf is expected to help drive the economy by attracting more cruise ships to Nuku'alofa.

Tatakamotonga celebrated the opening of the Mata'aho Hall Women's Training Centre at on Wednesday September 5, after renovations were completed and training equipment provided in a joint collaboration between the Governments of Japan and New Zealand. Photos by Linny Folau and Mary Lyn Fonua.

$2 million pa'anga of taxpayers money was divided equally among 17 People's Representatives this week, to spend on their annual national tour of constituencies - a $300,000 increase from the $1.7 million they took in the previous budget. The Minister of Finance Lisiate 'Akolo argued for the increased amount of $300,000 to be divided between himself and 'Uliti Uata, but the PRs also wanted a "fair share". From the House by Pesi Fonua.

The New Zealand Government has become the first donor to pledge budget support to Tonga, when the New Zealand High Commissioner HE Dr Jonathan Austin and Tonga's Minister of Finance Hon Sunia Fili, signed a Letter of Intent for the provision of $3 million in Nuku'alofa today, August 3.

Commonwealth leaders meeting in Perth in October this year will discuss the efforts being made with the G20 for what the Commonwealth Secretary General today called "innovative sources of funding for trade and growth resilience", an idea that he said was now accepted by the World Bank. By Mary Lyn Fonua.

Tonga's Police Commissioner Chris Kelley was one of the first six members of the Tonga Police who received their new Tonga Police Identification cards and badges from the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Hon. Richard Marles on Friday, March 11.

Demolition of an old Vaiola Hospital Building started yesterday June 2, when the Princess Regent HRH Princess Pilolevu officially broke a glass window on the 39 year old building that was opened by her father on June 4, 1971.